A draft plan to guide the future direction of Whiteman Park has been released for public comment.

Planning Minister Donna Faragher said the draft Whiteman Park Strategic Plan 2016-2020 proposed to define the park’s role, activities and boundaries and was supported by a $2.8 Million investment by the Liberal National Government to provide infrastructure for future development close to the park.

“Covering nearly 4,000 ha, Whiteman Park is one of the largest metropolitan conservation and recreation parks in the world, and one of the State’s most visited attractions with more than 1 Million visitors each year.” Mrs. Faragher said.

“It is made up of distinct land use areas including Bush Forever sites and the old Caversham airfield, Whiteman Park village, the Bennett Brook Reserve, and lands bordering Marshall Road and Lord Street.”

“The draft plan was developed to consider the current land holdings that make up the park and to ensure its greater sustainability and self-sufficiency into the future.”

“It looks at issues such as the development of interconnected community meeting places, improving community access to the park and confirming its status as a destination of environmental, cultural and heritage significance for local and international visitors.”

Mrs. Faragher said the Marshall Road lands, on the park’s southern boundary, had already been identified as a site for future regional sporting fields, with the potential for a commercial recreation attraction to complement the park’s activities.

“There is also scope for the development outside Whiteman Park of a job-generating industrial estate to the west of the Marshall Road lands area, as well as a much-needed park home and caravan park site to address the current shortfall of this type of accommodation within the City of Swan.” Mrs. Faragher said.

“The $2.8 Million budget allocation for a road, service provision and infrastructure work to the site boundaries will allow these to be progressed.”

WA Minister for Planning Donna Faragher

The 60-day public consultation period closes on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Fact File

The state government purchased the land from a variety of private owners in 1978 so as to protect the underlying aquifer as a drinking water source for Perth. The major owner was Lew Whiteman (1903–1994), after whom the park is named.